Heath Streak calls for removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF chefs

Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Heath Streak has joined with members of the white community to form Zimbabweans Against Sanctions calling for the "unconditional" lifting of sanctions imposed on the country and its leaders.

Streak and businessman Matthew Smith and Gary Smith are also calling for United states President Barack Obama to invite President Robert Mugabe to US-AU meeting and British Prime Minister David Cameron to meet the aging leader at the European Union-Africa Union Summit.

Garry Smith said in a press conference in Harare that the sanctions were not targeted but hurting everyone.

Garry and Matthew Smith are father and son and are involved in the hospitality industry in Victoria Falls.

Streak, speaking via video link from Bulawayo said, "I will be working very hard to get support for this cause."

Matt Smith, who chairs the Zimbabweans Against Sanctions lobby group, says it's apolitical and non-partisan

"The truth about sanctions needs to be told from our perspective as white Zimbabweans on whose behalf the sanctions were imposed," he said.

"Whatever happened five, ten or fifteen years ago is history. We are not concerned about that. We are about the future, going forward."

Garry Smith added, "What would Mandela do? If he was the UK Prime Minister, he would engage Robert Mugabe. He would shake his hand. We need Mandelas in the US and in the EU."